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A British scientist died after he slipped and fell down a ravine while tracking a rare lizard in the United States, an inquest heard.

Research scientist Stephen Vanderhoeven had travelled to Camelback Mountain, near the state capital Phoenix, to investigate a rare species of "chuckwalla".

The 56-year-old, from Carterton, Oxfordshire, flew to the southwestern state on June 10 to track and photograph the reptile, a relative of iguanas.

Four days later, his partner Tracey Murray had waited to meet his flight at Heathrow Airport and, after waiting for hours for him to arrive, contacted Arizona police.

She had last spoken to him on June 12 last year, but was not concerned by the lack of contact as Mr Vanderhoeven would often lose touch when he went abroad, which he had done more than 200 times, the inquest heard.

A helicopter search was launched and Mr Vanderhoeven's body was found at the bottom of a 100ft ravine.

Camelback Mountain, near Phoenix, Arizona

The last photo he had taken was dated at 9.51am on June 12 on a camera found beside him.

Police said at the time that there were obvious signs of injury, but no evidence of foul play.

An investigative summary by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office said Mr Vanderhoeven's body was found 100ft below a "sub trail" where there was "poor footing" and "loose dirt".

The report said there were slide marks suggesting Mr Vanderhoeven might have lost his footing and slipped.

Senior coroner for Oxfordshire, Darren Salter, recorded a conclusion of accidental death at Oxford Coroner's Court.